As the Republic of Korea (ROK)-US alliance marks its 70th anniversary, the Center for Security Policy Studies – Korea (CSPS-K) at Mason Korea is taking the lead in addressing the challenges posed by critical technologies and power politics.
In collaboration with the Pacific Forum, CSPS-K recently published the report, Strengthening ROK-US Critical Technologies Cooperation: Progress and Path Forward, which has been officially distributed to key policymakers in the US and Asia.
Building on the key findings and outcomes of the “US-ROK Science and Tech Collaboration Dialogue” held in Honolulu, Hawaii last November, with the support of the ROK government, the report provides insightful and cross-cutting analysis to implement the aspirations and new configurations of the US-ROK alliance as they embark on a new chapter.
Under the leadership of Dr. Soyoung Kwon, Associate Professor of Global Affairs and Director of CSPS-K, who co-edited the publication in conjunction with Mark Bryan Manantan, Pacific Forum’s Director of Cybersecurity and Critical Technologies, a team of experts explored ways for Washington and Seoul to feasibly achieve strategic collaboration in critical technologies amid overtures of decoupling and onshoring.
In addition to editing the report, Dr. Soyoung Kwon authored a chapter titled, “The US-ROK alliance: Past, Present, and Future.” Dr. Boyoung Kim, Research Professor at CSPS-K, also contributed a chapter titled, “From creating trustworthy robotic partners to establishing trustworthy US-ROK partnerships in robotics.”
This past spring, CSPS-K successfully held an annual international security symposium centered on a related theme, "The Challenges of New Technologies and the Future of the ROK-US Alliance." The symposium further reinforced the importance of addressing emerging challenges and fostering a forward-looking alliance.
“While the US-ROK alliance remains strong and important for both nations, there are new issues to address to advance a future-oriented alliance,” said Dr. Kwon. “This includes expanding the alliance’s focus beyond its traditional purpose and incorporating non-traditional security issues that are increasingly important in the region and globally,” she added.
August 07, 2023